On October 3rd, the “Village Super” arena in Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province, was alive with excitement as players from Brazil’s São Paulo Takahashi football team immersed themselves in the unique charm of Chinese rural football, energized by a passionate crowd.
The night saw over 30,000 fans come together to support the match. Local students and residents wore matching uniforms alongside traditional ethnic attire, creating a colorful and spirited cheering section for the Brazilian team. Upon their arrival, the players were met with warm embraces from fans eager to connect, share handshakes, and capture memorable photos.
Competing against the Brazilians was a local amateur team from Guiyang, Guizhou Province. The game’s intensity peaked in the 84th minute when Ferreira from São Paulo netted the decisive goal with a flawless shot, clinching a tight 1-0 victory.
Reflecting on the experience, São Paulo player Lima commented, “Just like in Brazil, people here are crazy about football.” He was particularly impressed by the “Village Super” concept, which serves as a fantastic platform for amateur players and football enthusiasts to connect. “This exemplifies what football is all about—regardless of language barriers, we can come together as friends through our shared love for the game,” he noted.
Having visited China multiple times, Lima treasures the chance to explore various cities, savor local cuisine, and experience different climates. The warmth from Rongjiang’s fans left a strong impression on him. During the entrance ceremony, he was invited to join the local Dong women in dance, where he infused a bit of samba into the moment. “The Chinese countryside is a lot of fun. Everyone here feels so happy; dancing together makes it feel like there are no strangers,” he shared.
At the awards ceremony, the players received a truly unique prize—a couple of small chickens, which Lima described as “incredible.” His teammate Diego humorously snuggled one of the chickens for a photo, exclaiming, “I really love this prize!”
Eliaza, another member of the São Paulo team, expressed how he felt the energy of football and the enthusiasm of Chinese fans throughout the “Village Super” event. He found it inspiring to witness so many ordinary people coming together for their love of the sport. “I truly believe football can bring significant benefit to Rongjiang; this event attracts people from all over to engage with football culture and appreciate the stunning scenery,” he said. “I hope we can work together through football to create more opportunities for youth players from São Paulo to come to the ‘Village Super’ and see how cherished the sport is in rural China.”
As the awards concluded, vibrant fireworks illuminated the sky outside the “Village Super” arena. Inside, music filled the atmosphere, and the Brazilian players, with little time to spare, were guided by enthusiastic locals to the center of the field. There, they formed a circle, linking arms and dancing in unison, reveling in the contagious joy of Chinese rural football.
